Assignment of hierarchical cell structures employing geolocation techniques

ABSTRACT

Distance is employed to facilitate sector selection and re-selection in a network during handoff. A system receives measurement information for a mobile device. The measurement information includes information indicative of a geographical location of the mobile device. The system determines information indicative of a geographical location of a cell site to which the mobile device is assigned. The system then selects a sector of the cell site with which to associate the mobile device. The selection of the sector is based, at least, on a distance determined between the mobile device and the cell site. In various embodiments, the distance information is determined based on the latitude and longitude of the mobile device. In various embodiments, the morphology of the terrain for the area in which the mobile device is located is factored into the determination of the sector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/557,425 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,223),filed on Jul. 25, 2012, entitled “ASSIGNMENT OF HIERARCHICAL CELLSTRUCTURES EMPLOYING GEOLOCATION TECHNIQUES.” The entirety of theforegoing listed application is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications and, moreparticularly, to various embodiments that facilitate assignment ofhierarchical cell structures employing geolocation techniques.

BACKGROUND

In wireless mobility engineering, the term near-far generally refers toa condition in which mobile devices very close to a radio transceiverbase station (BS) present noise levels that mask other signals that theradio transceiver BS may need to acquire. One may incorrectly assumethat signals from mobile devices on different frequencies are isolatedfrom one another and therefore do not interfere with one another.However, both mobile device and BS radio transmissions can occupy apower mask that specifies filter characteristics of the transmittedsignals. These specifications can allow a small portion of transmittedpower to leak into adjacent frequencies. When both mobile devices are atroughly the same distance from the radio BS, this leakage isinsignificant and may not impair signal receiving. However, as onemobile device moves farther away from the radio BS, the signal strengthof the signal from the mobile device can drop. As such, the ratio of thesignal power from the mobile device to the power leakage from anadjacent frequency can be reduced. As the mobile device on the adjacentfrequency moves closer to the radio BS, the ratio can be furtherreduced. Eventually, the ratio can be reduced to the extent that thereceipt of a signal from a mobile device further from the radio BS canbe impaired.

Generally, as mobile devices approach a radio BS, the transmissions ofthe mobile devices are powered down, thereby reducing the near-fareffect. As such, when more than one mobile device is served by the sameradio BS, the near-far effect is minimal and not considered a primarydriver of call performance. However, when a mobile device that is near aparticular radio BS is served by a distance radio BS, the mobile devicemay not be powered down. This is the condition that can present the“performance-affecting” near-far effect.

This performance-affecting near-far effect can exist when a mobiledevice using another telecommunication company service is being servedby a radio BS that may be miles away, causing the mobile device totransmit at high power right next to a nearby radio BS associated withanother telecommunications company service.

This performance-affecting near-far effect can also exist when differentmobile radio network access technologies (e.g., Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS))are used in the same network, but are not equipped on all BSs withinthat network. For example, a mobile device may be using UMTS radioaccess technology and may move into close proximity of a BS not equippedwith UMTS radio access technology. Since the mobile device cannot make ahandoff to a UMTS radio on that BS, the mobile device will transmit at apower level much higher than would be the case if the BS was equippedwith a UMTS radio. This configuration often occurs during network-wideroll-out of a new radio access technology and there is a temporal factorin all radio BSs being equipped with the new technology. During theintervening period, the sparseness of radio deployments on the newtechnology are generally referred to as a Swiss cheese network where theholes imply BSs not having the new access technology radios.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system in which assignment of hierarchicalcell structures employing geolocation techniques can be facilitated inaccordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system that facilitates assignment ofhierarchical cell structures employing geolocation techniques inaccordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example system that facilitates assignment ofhierarchical cell structures employing geolocation techniques inaccordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example data storage that facilitates processingfor assignment of hierarchical cell structures employing geolocationtechniques in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate example flowcharts of methods that facilitateprocessing for assignment of hierarchical cell structures employinggeolocation techniques in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to facilitateprocessing for assignment of hierarchical cell structures employinggeolocation techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard). Moreover, the following descriptions of thevarious embodiments are intended to neither identify key or criticalelements of any of the embodiments nor delineate any scope particular tosuch embodiments, or any scope of the claims.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,”“interface,” “platform,” “service,” “framework,” “connector,”“controller” or the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software or software in execution or an entity related to anoperational machine with one or more specific functionalities. Forexample, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a processrunning on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a threadof execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, bothan application running on a controller and the controller can be acomponent. One or more components can reside within a process and/orthread of execution and a component can be localized on one computerand/or distributed between two or more computers. As another example, aninterface can include input/output (I/O) components as well asassociated processor, application, and/or application programminginterface (API) components.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “BS(or BS s),” “Node B,” “evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)”and the like, are utilized interchangeably in the application, and referto a wireless network component or appliance that transmits and/orreceives data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially anydata-stream or signaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations.Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, including, but not limited to,Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), GSM, UMTS, Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX), Enhanced General Packet Radio Service(Enhanced GPRS), Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long TermEvolution (LTE), Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) UltraMobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Zigbee andother 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacy telecommunicationtechnologies. Further, the term “femto” and “femtocell” are usedinterchangeably, and the terms “macro” and “macrocell” are usedinterchangeably.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative embodiments of the embodiments. These embodiments areindicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the embodiments can be employed. Other features of theembodiments will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

In one or more embodiments, a method can include: receiving, by a systemincluding a processor, measurement information relating to a mobiledevice, wherein the measurement information includes first informationindicative of a geographical location of the mobile device; determining,by the system, second information indicative of a geographical locationof a cell site to which the mobile device is assigned; and selecting, bythe system, a sector of the cell site with which to associate the mobiledevice, wherein the selecting is based, at least, on a distancedetermined between the mobile device and the cell site.

In one or more embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium can store computer-executable instructions that, in response toexecution, cause a system including a processor to perform operations.The operations can include: receiving a request for a handoff for amobile device; and determining a sector of a cell site associated withthe system to which to assign the mobile device in connection with thehandoff, wherein the determining is based, at least, on a distance thatis determined between the mobile device and the cell site.

In one or more embodiments, a system can include a memory that storescomputer-executable instructions, and a processor, communicativelycoupled to the memory, that facilitates execution of computer-executableinstructions to: determine a distance between a mobile device and a cellsite; and determine one of a plurality of sectors of the cell site toassign the mobile device based, at least, on the distance.

A hierarchical cell structure (HCS) is a type of cell structure thatallows the network to use the geographical area and serve an increasingpopulation. In some embodiments, the HCS can include a cell siteassociated with a BS, and one or more sectors associated with the cellsite. Each sector can operate on a different frequency.

Currently, the technique employed for HCS assignment applies assignmentof HCSs based on power load and utilization of sectors to select a lowcapacity sector to perform handoffs and cell re-selection. In theembodiments described herein, selection and/or re-selection of sectorsis performed. The selection and/or re-selection is based, at least, onthe distance between the mobile device and the cell site.

In various embodiments, the mobile devices in a network can receive andtransmit signals to a cell site. As the mobile device moves from onelocation to another, the signal reception can be handed over to a cellsite that is near to the mobile device in order to maintain signalstrength and, correspondingly, good reception. In the embodimentsdescribed herein, sector selection and/or re-selection can be based onthe distance between the mobile device and the cell site, as opposed tobeing based on the power of the received signal.

Attributes such as latitude and longitude of the mobile device, and thecurrent cell site associated with a mobile device can be obtained from acentral geolocation engine. For example, the latitude and longitude ofthe current cell site can be obtained from an internal database thatstores locations of all cell sites and/or locations of mobile devices.

Distance calculations can be performed before the selection of thesector, and, based, at least, on the distance between the mobile deviceand the cell site, the system can assign to the mobile device a sector,or layer, of the cell site.

If the distance between the mobile device and the cell site is less thana threshold value (which can be predefined based, at least, on themorphology of the terrain for the area in which the mobile device istraveling), the mobile device is assigned to a first sector. The mobiledevice can be assigned to a second sector if the distance is greaterthan the threshold value. Rural areas can have higher threshold valuesthan urban areas.

In some embodiments, a rural area can be an area that has less than apredefined number of buildings and/or more than a predefined amount ofcropland, water or marshland. In some embodiments, a rural area can bedefined by an area having less than a predefined population density(e.g., less than 1,000 persons per square mile) or a predefinedpopulation (e.g., less than 2,500 persons).

In some embodiments, an urban area can be an area that has more than apredefined number of buildings and/or less than a predefined amount ofcropland, water or marshland. In some embodiments, an urban area can bedefined by an area having more than a predefined population density(e.g., greater than or equal to 1,000 persons per square mile) or apredefined population (e.g., greater than 50,000 persons).

In some embodiments, a predefined list can exist that correlatesparticular areas with the designation of either a rural area or an urbanarea.

In some embodiments, the morphology can be dictated by one or morecritical points of a terrain and critical lines joining the criticalpoints. In some embodiments, the morphology of a terrain can be dictatedby one or more of the values of the following parameters in an area:building density, building height, roof reflectivity (e.g., bright ordark), impervious surface reflectivity, bare ground, cropland,grassland, marshland, water, number and height of coniferous trees,number and height of evergreen trees, number and height of deciduoustrees, number and height of shrubs. If a certain number of particularfeatures exist (or exist at an average height), the morphology of theterrain can be urban (or rural, depending on the features).

The first sector can be a near sector and the second sector can be a farsector. For example, if a distance is less than a threshold, a nearsector can be assigned. The near sector (e.g., sector 1 of a threesector cell) can be a sector that operates on higher frequencies (e.g.,1900 Megahertz (MHz) in some embodiments. The far sector (e.g., sector2) can be a sector that operates on lower frequencies (e.g., 850 MHz).

One or more of the embodiments can employ innovating HCS-basedtechniques for sector selection and re-selection based, at least, on thedistance between the cell site and the mobile device to address thenear-far problem. By employing the systems and methods described hereinfor selection and/or handoffs, call quality can be increased, noise canbe reduced and/or call drops can be mitigated. Various embodiments canadvantageously facilitate balancing of traffic load, avoidance orreduction of congestion and general improvement in network performance.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system in which assignment of HCSsemploying geolocation techniques can be facilitated in accordance withembodiments described herein. In these embodiments, the HCSs can be thesectors of the cell sites.

Referring to FIG. 1, the system 100 can include a mobile device 110configured to transmit signals to BSs 102, 104. The BSs 102, 104 cancover the geographical regions corresponding to cell sites 106, 108,respectively.

BS can be split into different sectors in some embodiments. Each sectorcan have a corresponding frequency on which communication occurs. Forexample, sector one can correspond to 850 MHz and sector two cancorrespond to 1900 MHz. In various embodiments, the mobile devices canbe assigned to different sectors of the cell site. In variousembodiments, the mobile devices can be switched between the differentsectors upon re-selection of sectors.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first cell site 106 can correspond to thegeographical region covered by BS 102, and a second cell site 108 cancorrespond to the geographical region covered by BS 104. Each of cellsite 106, 108 can be divided into multiple sectors. For example, cellsite 106 can be divided into a near sector 122 (e.g., a sector near theBS 102) and a far sector 120. Cell site 108 can be divided into nearsector 118 and far sector 116. For each sector,

Each sector can have an associated frequency over which communicationbetween a BS and the mobile device 110 can occur. For example, in someembodiments, one of the sectors 116, 118 of cell site 108 can beassociated with a frequency of 1900 MHz over which communication withthe BS 104 occurs, and another one of the sectors 116, 118 can beassociated with a frequency of 850 MHz over which communication with theBS 104 occurs. As such, the mobile device 110 can communicate over thefrequency associated with either of the sectors 116, 118. In variousembodiments, the mobile device 110 communicates over the sector to whichthe mobile device 110 is assigned.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can facilitate assignment of asector of a cell site associated with BSs 102, 104 to the mobile device110. For example, the sector can be assigned to the mobile device 110upon handoff of the mobile device 110 from one cell site to another cellsite. The system 100 can facilitate assignment of the sector based, atleast, on the distance between the mobile device and the BS. Forexample, if the distance between the mobile device 110 and the BS 104 isless than distance 112, the mobile device 110 can be assigned to a firstsector 118. If the distance is greater than distance 112, the mobiledevice 110 can be assigned to a second sector 116.

In one embodiment, the sector to which the mobile device 110 is assignedcan be determined by the BS covering the geographical region of the cellsite to which the sectors are associated. The BS can communicateinformation to the mobile device 110 for communicating on such sectorfrequency.

In another embodiment, the sector to which the mobile device 110 isassigned can be determined by a system distinct from the BS covering thegeographical region of the cell site to which the sectors areassociated. For example, in some embodiments, a central system (notshown) can receive information from BS 104 informing the central systemthat the mobile device 110 requires handoff to BS 104 from BS 102. Thecentral system can determine a sector to which to assign the mobiledevice 110 based on the information provided by the BS 104.

Accordingly, upon handoff from BS 102 to BS 104, a sector of the cell108 is selected for mobile device 110 communication with the BS 104.Systems and methods for selection of the sector can be as described infurther detail herein and also with reference to FIGS. 2-10.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the sector assignment system 200 is shown and caninclude a communication component 202, assignment component 204, memory206, processor 208 and/or data storage 210. In various embodiments, thecommunication component 202, assignment component 204, memory 206,processor 208 and/or data storage 210 can be electrically and/orcommunicatively coupled to one another to perform one or more functionsof the sector assignment system 200.

The communication component 202 can transmit and/or receive informationto and/or from one or more mobile devices, one or more other BSs and/orto or from a central system as described with reference to FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, the communication component 202 can obtain ordetermine measurement information associated with a mobile device. Forexample, the measurement information can include, but is not limited to,a geographical location at which the mobile device is located at thetime that the measurement information is obtained.

In various embodiments, the measurement information can include latitudeand longitude information indicating the geographical location of themobile device, a city or street address at which the mobile device islocated and/or any other of a number of different indicia ofgeographical location.

In some embodiments, wherein the sector assignment system 200 is locatedat a BS, the sector assignment system 200 can obtain the measurementinformation from a central system remote from the BS. The central systemcan collect measurement information for a number of different mobiledevices, for example, and provide such information to the BS uponrequest.

In some embodiments, the BS can store previously-obtained measurementinformation in data storage (e.g., data storage 210) at the BS and neednot request measurement information from the central system. Forexample, in some embodiments, the communication component 202 can detectsignals transmitted from the mobile device and can retrieve themeasurement information from such signals detected by the BS.

In various embodiments, the BS can obtain the measurement informationupon determining that the mobile device (e.g., mobile device 110)requires handoff to the BS or at any time other than those associatedwith handoff. For example, in various embodiments, the BS can obtainmeasurement information for a mobile device while a call is in progressat the mobile device or while no call is in progress at the mobiledevice.

In some embodiments, wherein the sector assignment system 200 is locatedat a central system distinct from the BS, the sector assignment system200 can access measurement information for the mobile device stored atthe central system at any time and/or upon receiving information or arequest to transmit the measurement information to a BS.

The sector assignment system 200 can also include an assignmentcomponent 204. The assignment component 204 can determine a sector of acell site to which to assign a mobile device. The structure and/orfunctionality the assignment component 204 can be as described ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 3 (or vice versa).

Turning now to FIG. 3, the assignment component 300 can include a mobiledevice location component 302, a cell site location component 304, asector selection component 306, a memory 308, a processor 310 and/or adata storage 210′. In various embodiments, one or more of the mobiledevice location component 302, cell site location component 304, sectorselection component 306, memory 308, processor 310 and/or data storage210′ can be electrically and/or communicatively coupled to one anotherto perform one or more of the functions of the assignment component 300.

The mobile device location component 302 can access and/or retrievemeasurement information about a mobile device within geographicalproximity to the cell site of interest. For example, in someembodiments, when handoff is scheduled to take place from a first BS toa second BS, the mobile device location component can access and/orretrieve measurement information about the geographical location of themobile device.

The mobile device location component 302 can access and/or retrieve themeasurement information from a central system remote from the assignmentcomponent 300 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the mobiledevice location component 302 can access and/or retrieve the measurementinformation from the mobile device and/or from the data storage 210′.

In various embodiments, the geographical location information accessedand/or retrieved by the mobile device location component 302 can includelatitude and/or longitude of the geographical location of the mobiledevice and/or a city or street address corresponding to the geographicallocation of the mobile device.

The cell site location component 304 can access and/or retrieveinformation indicative of one or more cell sites. For example, theinformation can include a latitude and longitude of the one or more cellsites. In embodiments, wherein the assignment component 300 is locatedat the BS, the cell site location component 304 can access and/orretrieve information indicative of a location of the BS. In variousembodiments, the cell site location can be the location of the BS forthe cell site.

The cell site location component 304 can access and/or retrieve themeasurement information from a central system remote from the assignmentcomponent 300 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the cell sitelocation component 304 can access and/or retrieve the measurementinformation from the data storage 210′.

The sector selection component 306 can determine a sector of the cellsite to which to assign the mobile device. In various embodiments, thesector selection component 306 can determine the sector during handoffof the mobile device, during a time that the mobile device is on a call,during a time that the mobile device is not on a call or in any numberof different instances as long as measurement information for the mobiledevice and geographical location information for the cell site areknown.

The sector selection component 306 can assign the sector based, atleast, on the distance between the mobile device and the cell site.

In some embodiments, the sector selection component 306 can access themeasurement information for the mobile device from the mobile devicelocation component 302, and access the geographical location of the cellsite from the cell site location component 304. The sector selectioncomponent 306 can calculate the distance between the mobile device andthe cell site.

In some embodiments, the sector selection component 306 can determinewhether the distance between the mobile device and the cell site is lessthan a threshold value. If the distance is less than the thresholdvalue, the sector selection component 306 can assign the mobile deviceto a first sector of the cell site. If the distance is greater than orequal to the threshold value, the sector selection component 306 canassign the mobile device to a second sector of the cell site.

In various embodiments, the first sector can be a sector nearer to theBS of the cell than the second sector. For example, referring back toFIG. 1, the first sector can be the sector 118 for cell site 108 and thesecond sector can be the sector 116 for the cell site 108. As such, ifthe distance between the mobile device (e.g., mobile device 110) and thecell site (e.g., cell site 108) is less than the threshold value (e.g.,distance 112), the sector selection component 306 can assign the mobiledevice (e.g., mobile device 110) to sector 118. If the distance isgreater than or equal to the threshold value (e.g., distance 112), thesector selection component 306 can assign the mobile device (e.g.,mobile device 110) to sector 116.

In various embodiments, the sector nearer the BS can be associated witha higher frequency (e.g., 1900 MHz) than the sector farther away fromthe BS.

In some embodiments, the sector selection component 306 can determinethe threshold value based on the distance between the mobile device andthe cell site as a function of the morphology of the area in which themobile device is located. For example, if the mobile device is locatedin a rural area, the threshold value can be greater than if the mobiledevice is located in an urban area. As such, the sector selectioncomponent 306 can change the threshold value that determines the sectorto which to assign the mobile device, based on the morphology of thearea in which the mobile device is located.

Turning back to FIG. 2, the memory 206 can be a computer-readablestorage medium storing computer-executable instructions and/orinformation for performing the functions described herein with referenceto the sector assignment system 200. Processor 208 can perform one ormore of the functions described herein with reference to the sectorassignment system 200.

The data storage 210 can be configured to store information transmittedto, received by and/or processed by the sector assignment system 200.For example, with reference to FIG. 4, the data storage 210, 210′, 210″can store measurement information 402 for one or more mobile devices,cell site location information 404, sector information 406,distance-morphology information 408 or the like.

As described above, the measurement information 402 can includegeographical location information indicative of the location at which amobile device is currently located or at which the mobile device waslocated at a time that the measurement information was obtained for themobile device.

The cell site location information 404 can include indicative of ageographical location of a cell site, an associated BS, one or moremobile devices currently assigned to the cell site or the like.

The sector information 406 can include a sector number, a correspondingfrequency for the sector and/or a number or identity of mobile devicesassigned to the sector. For example, in some embodiments, the sectorinformation 406 can include an identifier of a first sector and anassociated frequency of 1900 MHz. As another example, the sectorinformation 406 can include an identifier of a second sector and anassociated frequency of 850 MHz.

The distance-morphology information 408 can include morphologyinformation for different types of geographical regions andcorresponding threshold values for determining the sector to which toassign the mobile device. For example, for a mobile device in ageographical region with a rural morphology, the threshold value betweena mobile device and a cell site can be a first value while the thresholdvalue can be a second value for a mobile device in a region with anurban morphology. The value associated with the rural morphology can begreater than the value associated with the urban morphology.

The threshold values can also correspond to particular sectors. As such,for each morphology, a threshold value of distance between the mobiledevice and the cell site can be stored. Further, one or more sectors canbe associated with the distance. For example, for cases in which thedistance between the mobile device and the cell site is less than thethreshold value of distance, a first sector can be stored. For cases inwhich the distance between the mobile device and the cell site isgreater than the threshold value of distance, a second sector can bestored.

Accordingly, the data storage 210, 210′, 210″ can be accessed todetermine a sector to which to assign a mobile device and/or sectorfrequency information in various embodiments.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, in various embodiments, only one ofthe memory 206, 312, only one of the processor 208, 314 and/or one ormore of the data storage 210, 210′, 210″ can be employed to perform thefunctions described herein. Duplicative components need not be employedin various embodiments.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate example flowcharts of methods that facilitateprocessing for assignment of hierarchical cell structures employinggeolocation techniques in accordance with embodiments described herein.

Turning first to FIG. 5, at 502, method 500 can include receiving, by asystem including a processor, measurement information relating to amobile device. The measurement information can include informationindicative of a geographical location of the mobile device. In someembodiments, the information indicative of the geographical locationincludes latitude and a longitude of the geographical location of themobile device.

At 504, method 500 can include determining, by the system, informationindicative of a geographical location of a cell site to which the mobiledevice is assigned. In various embodiments, the cell site to which themobile device is assigned can be associated with the BS to which themobile device will be transferred upon handoff.

At 506, method 500 can include selecting a sector of the cell site withwhich to associate the mobile device. In some embodiments, selecting isbased, at least, on a determined distance between the mobile device andthe cell site. The distance is based, at least, on the first informationreceived at 502. In some embodiments, the mobile device is assigned to afirst sector if the distance between the mobile device and the cell siteis less than a predefined value. In some embodiments, the mobile deviceis assigned to a second sector if the distance between the mobile deviceand the cell site is greater than or equal to a predefined value.

In some embodiments, the manner of assigning the sector can be asdescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

Turning to FIG. 6, at 602, method 600 can include determining thedistance between the mobile device and the cell site.

At 604, method 600 can include determining whether the distance meets apredefined criterion. In some embodiments, the predefined criterion canbe whether the mobile device is less than a particular distance from thecell site.

At 606, method 600 can include assigning the mobile device to a firstsector based on the distance between the mobile device and the cell sitesatisfying the predefined criterion, and assigning the mobile device toa second sector based on the distance between the mobile device and thecell site failing to satisfy the predefined criterion.

Another method for assigning a sector can be as described with referenceto FIG. 7. At 702, method 700 can include determining the morphology ofa terrain for an area in which a mobile device is located. In variousembodiments, the morphology of the terrain can be associated with arural area or an urban area.

At 704, method 700 can include determining a threshold distance valuebased, at least, on the morphology. For example, the threshold distancevalue can be a first value if the morphology of the terrain isassociated with a rural area, and a second, lesser value, if themorphology of the terrain is associated with an urban area.

At 706, method 700 can include determining whether the distance betweenthe mobile device and the cell site is less than the threshold distancevalue.

At 708, method 700 can include assigning the mobile device to a nearsector of the cell site if the distance between the mobile device andthe cell site is less than the threshold distance value. In variousembodiments, the near sector can be associated with a higher frequencythan the far sector. For example, the near sector can be associated witha frequency of 1900 MHz.

At 710, method 700 can include assigning the mobile device to a farsector of the cell site if the distance between the mobile device andthe cell site is not less than the threshold distance value. In variousembodiments, the far sector can be associated with a lower frequencythan the near sector. For example, the far sector can be associated witha frequency of 850 MHz.

Turning now to FIG. 8, at 802, method 800 can include receivinginformation indicative of a handoff request for a mobile device. At 804,method 800 can include determining a sector of a cell site to which toassign the mobile device upon handoff. In some embodiments, thedetermination is made based, at least, on the distance between themobile device and the cell site.

Turning now to FIG. 9, at 902, method 900 can include selecting a sectorof a cell site to which to assign a mobile device. In variousembodiments, the selection can be based, at least, on a distance betweenthe mobile device and the cell site at a first time.

At 904, method 900 can include re-selecting a sector of the cell site towhich to assign the mobile device. In various embodiments, there-selection can be based, at least, on the distance between the mobiledevice and the cell site at a second time.

For example, at a first time, the distance between the mobile device andthe cell site may be a first value that is greater than a thresholddistance value, thereby resulting in an assignment of the mobile deviceto a far sector of the cell site. At a second time, after further traveltowards the cell site, the distance between the mobile device and thecell site may be a second value (that is less than the first value). Thesecond value may be less than a threshold distance value. As such, themobile device can be re-assigned to the near sector of the cell site.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer operable to facilitate assignment of hierarchical cellstructures employing geolocation techniques. For example, in someembodiments, the computer can be or be included within the sectorassignment system 200.

In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of theembodiments described herein, FIG. 10 and the following discussion areintended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computingenvironment 1000 in which the various embodiments of the embodimentdescribed herein can be implemented. While the embodiments have beendescribed above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include, butare not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory or other memory technology, compact disk read only memory(CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory mediawhich can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 10, the example environment 1000 forimplementing various embodiments of the aspects described hereinincludes a computer 1002, the computer 1002 including a processing unit1004, a system memory 1006 and a system bus 1008. The system bus 1008couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 1006 to the processing unit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes ROM 1010 and RAM 1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer1002, such as during startup. The RAM 1012 can also include a high-speedRAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1002 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1014 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1018) and an optical disk drive 1020, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1022 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1014, magnetic diskdrive 1016 and optical disk drive 1020 can be connected to the systembus 1008 by a hard disk drive interface 1024, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1026 and an optical drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 1094 interface technologies. Other externaldrive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1002, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette,and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also beused in the example operating environment, and further, that any suchstorage media can contain computer-executable instructions forperforming the methods described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1002 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1040. Other input devices (not shown)can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, agame pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other inputdevices are often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an inputdevice interface 1042 that can be coupled to the system bus 1008, butcan be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IRinterface, etc.

A monitor 1044 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 1008 via an interface, such as a video adapter 1046. Inaddition to the monitor 1044, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1048. The remotecomputer(s) 1048 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer1002, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device1050 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted includewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1052 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1054. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can beconnected to the local network 1052 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1056. The adapter 1056 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1052, which canalso include a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 1056.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1002 can includea modem 1058 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN1054 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1054, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1058, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected tothe system bus 1008 via the input device interface 1042. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1002 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1050. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 1002 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communicationcan be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simplyan ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a BS. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologiescalled IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fastwireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computersto each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which can useIEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) datarate, for example or with products that contain both bands (dual band),so the networks can provide real-world performance similar to the basic10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices.

The embodiments described herein can employ artificial intelligence (AI)to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. Theembodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquiredcell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to anexisting communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes forcarrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier canbe employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site ofthe acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks,decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilisticclassification models providing different patterns of independence canbe employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive ofstatistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

Memory disclosed herein can include volatile memory or nonvolatilememory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include readonly memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmableROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM) or flash memory.Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts asexternal cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM isavailable in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).The memory (e.g., data storages, databases) of the embodiments areintended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any othersuitable types of memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: determiningheight information indicative of an average height of terrain elementsand architectural structures for a geographical location associated witha mobile device; and assigning the mobile device to a base stationdevice based on whether a distance between the mobile device and thebase station device satisfies a defined criterion that varies as afunction of the height information.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe determining comprises: determining first height informationassociated with a first type of the terrain elements for the geographiclocation; determining second height information associated with a secondtype of the terrain elements for the geographic location; anddetermining third height information associated with the architecturalstructures for the geographic location.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the operations further comprise: varying the defined criterionas a function of the first height information, the second heightinformation and the third height information.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the determining comprises receiving the height information froma storage device that stores the height information and geographicalinformation indicative of a geographical area associated with the basestation device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the assigningcomprises assigning the mobile device to a sector associated with thebase station device based on whether the distance between the mobiledevice and the base station device satisfies the defined criterion. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the assigning comprises: assigning themobile device to a first sector associated with the base station devicein response to a first determination that the distance between themobile device and the base station device satisfies the definedcriterion; and assigning the mobile device to a second sector associatedwith the base station device in response to a second determination thatthe distance between the mobile device and the base station device failsto satisfy the defined criterion.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: varying the defined criterion as a functionof terrain element information indicative of an average height of treesfor the geographical location associated with the mobile device.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: varying thedefined criterion as a function of reflectivity information indicativeof reflectivity of the architectural structures for the geographicallocation.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: determininggeographical information indicative of a geographical area associatedwith the base station device.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein theassigning comprises assigning the mobile device to the base stationdevice based on the geographical information.
 11. A method, comprising:determining, by a system comprising a processor, height informationindicative of an average height of terrain elements and architecturalstructures for a geographical area associated with user equipment; andassigning, by the system, the user equipment to a cell site device,comprising determining whether a distance between the user equipment andthe cell site device satisfies a defined criterion that varies as afunction of the height information.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe assigning further comprises assigning the user equipment to a sectorof the cell site device based on a result of the determining whether thedistance between the equipment and the cell site device satisfies thedefined criterion.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the assigningfurther comprises: assigning the user equipment to a first sector of thecell site device in response to a first determination that the distancebetween the user equipment and the cell site device satisfies thedefined criterion; and assigning the user equipment to a second sectorof the cell site device in response to a second determination that thedistance between the user equipment and the cell site device fails tosatisfy the defined criterion.
 14. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: varying, by the system, the defined criterion as a functionof reflectivity information indicative of roof reflectivity of thearchitectural structures for the geographical area.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: determining, by the system, geographicalinformation indicative of a geographical location of the cell sitedevice.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the assigning comprisesassigning the user equipment to the cell site device based on thegeographical information.
 17. A non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: determiningheight information indicative of an average height of terrain elementsand architectural structures for a location associated with a mobiledevice; and determining whether to assign the mobile device to a basestation device based on whether a distance between the mobile device andthe base station device satisfies a defined criterion that varies as afunction of the height information.
 18. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: varying the defined criterion based on reflectivityinformation indicative of reflectivity of the architectural structures.19. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,wherein the operations further comprise: varying the defined criterionbased on density information indicative of an amount of the terrainelements for the location.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise:varying the defined criterion based on density information indicative ofan amount of the architectural structures for the location.